PREVIEW | YORK CITY

Swindon face York City for the first time in 23 years this Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup at the Energy Check County Ground.

The Robins will aim to qualify for the second round as they did last season, while York will be looking to make it through the first round for the first time since 2011.

Last season, Town started off their cup campaign in style – they romped home to a 5-1 win over Dartford Town with goals from Timi Elsnik (2), Harry Smith, Amine Linganzi and Paul Mullin.

However, they fell to a 5-2 beating away at Stevenage in the next round.

The season before that Town fell to non-league opposition – Eastleigh, of the National League, forced a replay on a Friday in front of the terrestrial TV cameras before beating Luke Williams’ side 3-1 at the Energy Check County Ground in the replay.

You have to go back to 2011 for a cup win against league opposition – Swindon overcame Huddersfield 4-1 at SN1 with Aden Flint, Raffaele De Vita, Mehdi Kerrouche and Simon Ferry all on the scoresheet that day.

That year, Swindon made it all the way to the Fourth Round, eventually losing to Leicester City after victories over Colchester and Wigan. Famously, Alan Connell and Paul Benson scored to overcome the then-Premier League Latics.

The Oppo

York City have been winless since their 1-0 win against Blyth Spartans in the fourth qualifying round of the Cup.

Sam Collins’ side went undefeated in six matches, including their win at Blyth Spartans but their winning form has nose-dived since.

The Minstermen have conceded seven goals in their last two matches to Spennymoor Town and Bradford P A, leaving them 15th in the Vanarama National League North.

Head-to-head

Swindon have won four of the previous six meetings, but the two sides haven’t faced each other since 1996 where York City were victorious at Bootham Crescent.

Fraser Digby saved a penalty that day but was unable to stop the Minstermen from coming out 2-0 victors.

15 Oct 1983 Swindon Town v York City W 3-2 League Division Four

24 Mar 1984 York City v Swindon Town L 2-0 League Division Four

01 Nov 1986 Swindon Town v York City W 3-1 League Division Three

03 Mar 1987 York City v Swindon Town W 0-3 League Division Three

19 Aug 1995 Swindon Town v York City W 3-0 League Division 2

13 Jan 1996 York City v Swindon Town L 2-0 League Division 2

The Gaffer

Sam Collins will relish his opportunity to take York City to the second round of the cup in his first full managerial job.

He was previously employed as the club’s youth team manager and took over as interim manager after Martin Gray was sacked in August.

Collins’ playing career lasted 21 years having spent time at Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Hartlepool United.

Collins was signed permanently by then-Tigers boss, Phil Brown following a season on loan there, but was subsequently sent on-loan to Swindon two years later by the current Robins manager.

York City decided to promote Collins to firstteam manager after he won four games as Caretaker and drew two in his first eight matches, which meant they progress through the FA Cup.

Before taking the helm at Bootham Crescent, Collins was assistant-manager and coach at Hartlepool United. There, he experienced three spells as caretaker-manager during his time at the club.

Collins has had his share of FA Cup highs and lows during his playing career, he was part of the Hartlepool team that beat Premier League side Stoke City.

Although the Minstermen’s manager has endured shock defeats against non-League trio Northwich, Scarborough and Kettering in his time as a player.